Month: January 2017

A joint investigation by the Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and La. State Fire Marshal is being conducted into a fire that claimed the life of a Natchitoches man early Sunday morning, Jan. 29 at 4:19 a.m., according to Natchitoches Parish Sheriff Victor Jones.

NPSO Patrol Division deputies and Natchitoches Parish Fire District #7 responded to reports of a structure fire in the 7500 block of La. Hwy 6, west of Natchitoches.

Deputies say while firefighters from NPFD# 7 were extinguishing the fire, they received information that the structure, a 8×32 fifth-wheel travel trailer was possibly occupied.

A search of the burned travel trailer led to the discovery of a body inside.

Investigators located a space heater in the living room area of the trailer that sustained heavy fire damage.

NPSO Deputies say while speaking with State Fire Marshal investigators today, the space heater is believed, but not confirmed, to be the source of the fire.

The remains were sent for an autopsy to determine the cause of death.

State Fire Marshal investigators say the preliminary investigation results states Starnes succumbed to smoke inhalation as the cause of death.

There were no smoke detectors in the trailer.

The investigation is continuing by the La. State Fire Marshal’s Office, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Office and Natchitoches Parish Fire District #7 although at this time the fire appears to be accidental.

Fire Marshal investigators requested that we urge the public to install smoke detectors in every room of the home, and at least one in travel trailers.

Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Additional Information
Call (318) 561-5100 or (800) 542-3509 or 511 or visit www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, the Way to Geaux Application for iPhone or Android devices, the DOTD Facebook page or the LA DOTD Twitter page, @Alex_Traffic for further information and details.

Safety Reminder
DOTD appreciates your patience and reminds you to please drive with caution through the construction site and be on the lookout for work crews and their equipment.

Additional Information
Call (318) 561-5100 or (800) 542-3509 or 511 or visit www.511LA.org for additional information. Motorists may also monitor the LA DOTD website @ www.dotd.la.gov, by selecting MYDOTD, the Way to Geaux Application for iPhone or Android devices, the DOTD Facebook page or the LA DOTD Twitter page, @Alex_Traffic for further information and details.

Northwestern State University’s chapter of Phi Mu Alpha will perform Valentine serenades on and off campus through Valentine’s Day, Tuesday Feb. 14. Members will perform from 2-8 p.m. in Hanchey Gallery and a traveling group will perform from 6-8 p.m. on Front Street.

“What better way to spend your Valentine’s Day than getting your loved one serenaded by the men of Phi Mu Alpha?” Chapter Treasurer Logan Turner asked. “For $10 you come to us and we will serenade you and your loved one at Hanchey Gallery or Front Street and for $20 we will come to you. All serenades come with a single rose.”

Phi Mu Alpha is a social fraternity for men with a special interest in music.

“We will also have a table in the Creative and Performing Arts Building the week of January 30-February 3 and will be in the Student Union the week of February 6-February 10,” Turner said.

For more information or to book a serenade, contact Turner at (318) 507-8261 or lturner029912@nsula.edu or visit the Phi Mu Alpha table at the times listed.

Things got hot enough to boil water at the Robeline-Marthaville Water System meeting Monday night, Jan. 30. After getting water service up and running right before Christmas, the customer-owned system is looking at ways to cut costs and get things back on track.

Representatives from the government and state organizations were on hand to continue helping the board find solutions to its problems.

The Water System residents said they’re putting out unnecessary money and demanded the board take action to correct the system’s financial problems. The board voted to let go of the one part time employee it has within 30 days. It will no longer provide health insurance for any of its employees within 30 days. This could potentially be $40,000 per year in savings, although it was stated that around $60,000 in cuts needs to be made.

Residents said they believed the cuts could be made in personnel, saying that other systems have one employee doing the same work of the R-MV System’s employees.

In other news, two new board members were announced: Don Perez and Johnny Ledet.

After the meeting ended, Tommy O’Con informed the NPJ that he tendered his resignation last night from the Robeline-Marthaville Water System.

I read an article about the Louisiana’s Blue Lives Matter bill, which Governor John Bel Edwards signed into law before Trump took office. Louisiana is the first state to enact such a law.

If someone is arrested for stealing a piece of candy (a misdemeanor) but resists arrest, they will be charged with a felony hate crime. This is punishable by up to 10 years in prison. Even if someone is wrongfully arrested and resists that arrest, they can receive the same punishment.

While it seems preposterous or outrageous, I’d like to try and look at this situation logically.

When does it benefit someone to resist arrest? If they’re guilty of a crime, resisting will only worsen their sentence. If they’re innocent, resisting will get them a sentence they wouldn’t have received otherwise. If the officer is corrupt, resisting will only worsen the situation.

This made me think of an old FB video rant that I watched last year of Amiri King, an ex-con turned YouTube star, who defended police against people who resist arrest.

He says, “When a cop says stop, I stop. When a cop says let me see you hands, guess what, I show him my hands. If a cop says put your leg in, put your leg out, put your leg in and shake it all about, well I’ll be doing the hokey pokey then won’t I.”

You can let the police do their job or cause yourself a bigger headache. The choice is yours.

The Association for the Preservation of Historic Natchitoches will kick off 2017 with its Annual APHN Luncheon. It’s a wonderful way for the community to show its support for ongoing and upcoming preservation efforts alongside APHN team members, volunteers, and people who care about preserving the rich history of the Cane River area.

The luncheon will be held at Mariner’s Restaurant Saturday, Feb. 11 at 11:30 a.m. Tom Whitehead, the guest presenter, will be available after the luncheon to sign copies of his books, “Clementine Hunter: The African House Murals,” and the Hunter biography, “Clementine Hunter: Her Life and Art.” Tickets are $28 per person and include lunch, a dessert buffet, as well as presentations and updates from the APHN.
The APHN has another exciting year ahead in restoring and preserving Melrose Plantation, and its historic outbuildings. To accomplish this goal, financial support is needed.

These properties help generate tourism to Natchitoches, benefiting the entire community.

Tickets can be purchased online at Melrose Plantation’s gift shop at http://www.melroseplantation.org/shop/.

The women’s game between the schools starts at 1. The men’s contest follows at 3:30. The first 500 fans in the arena will receive NSU rally towels.

The NSU Alumni Association is hosting a tailgating party in the front of Prather Coliseum. For $10, guests can enjoy a bottomless buffet of hamburgers, hot dogs, sausage, chips and drinks and live entertainment by Beaux Atkins.

It’s NSU Faculty/Staff Appreciation Day, sponsored by CP-Tel, which is providing two free tickets for each NSU faculty and staff member – provided they are picked up by 5 p.m. Friday at the NSU Athletic Fieldhouse’s ticket office. The university employees will be treated to free food at the Alumni Association tailgate.

Fans can donate 10 canned goods to the NSU Student-Athlete Advisory Council’s Hunger Drive in advance and receive a coupon to purchase a $5 general admission ticket. NSU students will get a free T-shirt for participating. Items most needed: canned meats (chicken, tuna), peanut butter, cereals and breakfast bars, and bottled water.

Donations are being accepted this week at the Johnny Emmons Academic Study Center in the fieldhouse, and SAAC will have a donation table set up in front of Prather Coliseum on game day.

NSU student-athletes who earned a letter last year will be presented their letter jackets during the afternoon by members of the N-Club, the association of former athletic letterwinners. Male letterwinners will receive their letterjackets at halftime of the Lady Demons’ game, and the female letterwinners will be honored at halftime of the men’s contest.

Just over 600 tickets remained available Monday evening at 3,400-seat Prather Coliseum for the doubleheader Saturday.

Many youth with physical and mental disabilities from the Natchitoches area have attended camp throughout the years at no cost to the families. One such camper is Faith Megan Clark, daughter of Mickey and Kathy Clark and granddaughter of Louie and Carol O’Quinn. Faith loved her camp experience. The counselors made her feel at home immediately and she didn’t get upset when her family left. She was so proud of the award she received for “most popular camper” during the closing ceremony. She is anxious to return. Her sister Jessica was so impressed with Faith’s first year at the camp, she wants to be a counselor this summer.

The Louisiana Lions Camp, located north of Leesville, will open May 28. There will be a one week session for youth with pulmonary disorders, two one-week sessions for the mild mentally challenged ages 8-19, two one-week sessions for youth with diabetes ages 6-14 and two one-week session for visual, hearing and orthopedically impaired youth ages 7-19.

This summer marks the beginning of the 60th year of operation. The camp held its first session July 9, 1961. To date over 24,150 children have attended camp.

Club members from Natchitoches attend one of the summer camp sessions to provide campers with a meal of meat pies and dirty rice. Natchitoches’ LEO Club helps with Carnival Night at the camp. The camp is always seeking new campers ages 6-19 depending on their disability.

The camp is designed for the following campers:
Physically challenged youth: age 7-19
Mentally challenged youth: age 8-19
Youth with diabetes: age 6-14
Youth with pulmonary disorders: age 5-15

For more information contact Lions Club member Tina Ragan at 318-663-6782 or go online to lionscamp.org.

An upcoming 5K/1 mile event will benefit the Lions Camp. Kasey’s Heart and Soul: Run Walk and Roll will be held Saturday, March 11. It will begin at the NSU Collins Pavilion on the NSU Campus. Race day registration begins at 6:45 a.m. The 1 mile walk/run begins at 8 a.m. The 5K ROAR Challenge begins at 8:30 a.m. The 5K walk/run begins at 8:45 a.m. There will be music, food and fun for everyone. The event will offer a new option on top of the 5K and 1 mile run. The 5K ROAR Challenge Course is an option for those looking for some fun and excitement along the race. This event will include endurance detours and other obstacles to complete along the course. Are you brave enough?

Virtual Runner is an option for those who do not wish to walk/run, but still want to participate by donating to a great cause. Both 5K events are chip timed by SPORTSPECTRUM. Pre-register by Feb. 24 to be guaranteed a race T-shirt and goodie bag.

For more information contact Kristi Fredieu at 337-384-9791 or email KJRMemorialfund@gmail.com.

On Monday morning January 30th at approximately 8:03am, Natchitoches Parish Sheriff’s Deputies and Natchitoches Regional Medical Center EMS responded to a two-vehicle injury crash on US-71 within the City Limits of Campti, La.

Deputies say the preliminary investigation revealed that thirty-two year old Martino D. Telstead of Campti was operating a 2008 GMC pickup truck traveling northbound on US-71 when for unknown reasons at this time drifted across the center-line striking a southbound 2004 Peterbilt eighteen wheeler.

Telstead was transported from the scene by EMS to Natchitoches Regional Medical Center with what is believed to be non-life threatening injuries.

Traffic charges are pending.

The crash is being investigated by Deputy N. Brown assigned to the NPSO Patrol Division.

The Lady Indians and Indians Basketball Teams at Natchitoches Jr. High-Frankie Ray Jackson finished off the basketball season with the Lady Indians being the 2016-17 Middle School State Champions while the boy’s team brought home second place. Coach Velverlon Holden and Coach Corey Deans and all of the coaching staff led the students in a great athletic program this year.